West Central School Board Meeting

On Wednesday, May 19, 2010 the West Central CUSD #235 Board of Education conducted their regular meeting. As a result of this meeting the following items took place.

President Brent called the meeting to order in the Elementary Cafeteria at 7:00 p.m.

All board members except Arnold and Goff were present at roll call. Mr. Arnold entered the meeting at approximately 7:53 p.m.

President Brent led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The following items were offered as good news items:

The board first heard reports and viewed presentations from the Elementary and Middle School Enrichment Programs

Mr. Blender was thanked for the extra work that he has taken upon to host regionals and extra athletic events this past year

President Brent introduced the new WCHS Principal, Mr. Jonathon Bradburn

It was reported that 25 students and their parents attended the Trap Shooting meeting

High School graduation went very well and the students were congratulated

Mr. Geiser reported that 133 high school students (42%) were exempt from semester exams

Mrs. Debbie Gillam, Mrs. Susan Campbell, Mr. Phil Gesier, Mrs. Susan Pratt, Mrs. Vickie Wood and Mrs. Karen Day were congratulated on their retirements at the end of this year;

Mr. Buss thanked Stacie Swisher for her past service with the WC PTC organization and announced that she would be resigning her position at the end of the year

Mary Brokaw will be attending the IHSA State Track meet participating in the 3200 meter run

There are 14 Middle School students who qualified for the IESA State Track meet

The Student Council completed the landscaping work around the marquee and wanted to publicly thank Rev. Johnson for all of his assistance with this project

Rick Olson and Johnny Livermore were complimented on their success at being able to make arrangements for all the spring field trips and the extra transportation needs at this time of the year

The WCECC had a very successful "Touch A Truck" day earlier this month and wanted to thank all of those who provided vehicles for the students to see.

The board approved the agenda as presented.

Under recognition of audience request for presentation, no one was present to address the board on any agenda item.

The board approved the consent agenda as presented. Items approved under the consent agenda included:

The minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 21, 2010;

The minutes of the Special Meeting of May 13, 2010;

The closed session minutes from May 13, 2010;

Renewed the membership in the Illinois Association of School Boards;

The 2009-10 Final Calendar;

The participation of a student in the IHSA State Swimming Competition.

The board approved payment of all bills, the April activity accounts as well as the April's treasurer's report. The board heard a brief report on the status of the district's finances from Superintendent Grimm.

It was reported that our expenditures and revenues should be at 83.33% of budget. As of the end of April actual revenue received was at 84.26% and expenditures made to budget are at 75.75%.

As of May 19, 2010, the State of Illinois currently owes the district approximately $1,085,000.

The board approved the proposed revisions to the student/parent handbooks for each of the buildings. It should be pointed out that the board did not change the high school semester exam policy nor did they change to a "no pass, no play" policy for participation in extracurricular activities.

Those items will be studied by the high school staff and administration during the fall of the 2010-11 school year. Proposed changes to those two policies could be brought back to the board in February of 2011.

The board briefly discussed the Race to the Top Memorandum of Understanding for Phase II funding.

Following a brief discussion, the board voted to approve the signing of the MOU indicating the district's interest in participating in the RT3 grant process.

The board briefly reviewed the recommendations from WCHS SIP team with regard to restructuring West Central High School.

Following a brief discussion, the board voted to approve those recommendations as presented.

The board heard reports from the building principals. Mrs. Serven provided the board with a written report as well as a report on the status of our State and Federal grants.

The board was given what we believe to be our preliminary funding amounts; although, the board was cautioned that these numbers are very preliminary and we will not be certain of those numbers until the Illinois legislators finalize the State's FY11 budget. The board also heard a report from Mrs. Farniok and Mrs. Frakes. Also under reports, the board was given an update on the homeroom that was added to the WCHS schedule for the 2009-10 school year.

Mr. Geiser presented the board with a summary of what was believed to be the accomplishments of homeroom as well as the challenges of the homeroom for this school year.

Mr. Geiser encouraged the board to continue those things that work well as the high school moves to adopt the change to the homeroom that was approved as part of the SIP team recommendations.

The board reviewed a report from Athletic Director Jay Blender on the random drug testing program that was implemented at the beginning of the 2009-10 school year.

The board briefly discussed their participation and attendance of the school board conference in Chicago in November.

Board President Brent briefly discussed some issues that he had been approached about by WCHS softball coach John Morrison concerning the use of the softball and baseball diamonds in Stronghurst.

After some discussion is was the decision of the board to have the board's building and grounds committee look into this issue and then bring a recommendation back to the board regarding Mr. Morrison's concerns at the June meeting.

Under future agenda items, Superintendent Grimm informed the board that he had received a letter from the Monmouth/Roseville Superintendent and Board President regarding any possible interest that West Central CUSD #235 might have in visiting with them about consolidation.

Superintendent Grimm indicated that he would send out the letter to the board in their Friday packet and this would be a discussion item in June.

The board entered closed session at 9:15 p.m. They then exited closed session at 10:15 p.m. and took the following action:

Approved the maternity leave of Emily Klossing;

Approved the maternity leave of Kayla Carnes;

Transferred Lisa Lox from WCMS Title I teacher to WCMS classroom teacher;

Transferred Nancy Chandler from 6th grade language arts to WCMS Title I teacher;

Change in Vicky Keever's assignment to include 2 period of consumer education at
WCHS;